About the festival

Copenhagen Photo Festival 2024 is showcasing an artistically and conceptually ambitious programme that celebrates creativity and experimentation within photography and lens-based art, and aims to build bridges between fine art and documentary photography.

The festival takes place in the center of Copenhagen as well as at collaborating galleries, museums and cultural institutions in Copenhagen and southern Sweden. For 11 days, photography is on the agenda through exhibitions, workshops, talks, photobook market and more.

The open call

The open call is for artists and photographers who want to break new ground and challenge the idea of what photography is and can be, now and in the future. The winners of the open call will get the opportunity to present a solo exhibition at Copenhagen Photo Festival 2024.

Copenhagen Photo Festival solo exhibitions aims to expand the boundaries of exhibiting photography and focus on sustainable development, not least in relation to the specific place the festival is situated, but also with regards to the materiality of displaying photography, as well as presenting new perspectives and emerging talents.

As a solo artist you will work in close collaboration with the curatorial team about the planning of the exhibition. Your exhibition will be placed in an indoor or outdoor space depending on the project and the overall curatorial strategy. In line with festival values the artist should be prepared to think creatively and experimentally in terms of the hangings and/or installations of the works.

‘Entanglement’

The overarching theme for the 2024 festival edition is 'entanglement'. A word or concept which refers to the way we are correlated over space and time to each other. To how we can have a mutual relationship or connection, in which one thing affects or depends on another. To the footprint that we leave, more or less intentionally.

The thought of being interconnected or interdependent can seem basic. In the sense that it is something which happens in our everyday life -- whenever I do something it impacts my surroundings or relations, but it can also create reverberations that I did not foresee. With the word 'entanglement' we wish to focus even more closely on how we today seem to be not just connected in neat and nice networks or webs that we can observe, adjust and control.

In a global perspective with climate changes, wars, Western consumerism, AI technology or drug trafficking it is pertinent to talk about a concept like 'entanglement' to describe how big historical events as well as our own everyday life are closely connected and can mutually impact each other in unpredictable, unruly and even messy ways. In a complex world the connections are no longer easily traced, controlled or predicted.

When a brisk decision is made to invade Ukraine and the bread prices impact families all over the world. When a girl in Sweden refuses to go to school and impacts how we talk about global climate laws. When we realize that our personal travel plans impact ice melting in Greenland.

With our focus on entanglement for the 2024 Copenhagen Photo Festival we want to encourage open call applicants to examine our own impact on the world on a personal level as well as on how big events may circle out like rings in the water and hit us in unexpectedly and make us marvel, cry, laugh or wonder.

We are particularly interested in applications that through camera-based media show us new perspectives in this entangled world of ours. Projects that both enlighten and inspire us to engage with the world, our relations and the entangled reality we live in.

Even though we live in an often frustratingly ever changing complex world, the complexity, the interconnectedness and the entanglement across time and space also possess beauty and hope that small changes can create large movements. That we as individuals actually can create reverberations, transform old structures and make a positive footprint too.

What exhibitors receive

As an exhibitor at Copenhagen Photo Festival, your work will receive international exposure on a plethora of platforms giving you a chance to connect with other art and photography professionals. Exhibitors will more specifically receive:

A solo exhibition in the heart of Copenhagen
€ 530 fee as a festival participant.
€ 320 support for travel to and accommodation in CPH (for international photographers)
Copenhagen Photo Festival will cover the expenses for the exhibition
A targeted PR- and marketing strategy for your exhibition on Copenhagen Photo Festival's communication platforms
The possibility to meet and make contact with other exhibitors, curators and professionals through a large networking dinner, talks and gallery walks

Programme committee

The programme committee that will be selecting the Solo Artists for Copenhagen Photo Festival 2024 consists of highly qualified professionals, who have expertise within curation, photojournalism and art. By bringing together an array of perspectives we ensure that each applicant's work is considered and selected in regards to aesthetic, conceptual and journalistic aspects.

Requirements and Participation

The application must include a biography, artist statement and CV.
Applicants must present a project description of up to 3000 characters that explains the finalized concept.
The concept must be related to the overarching theme of 'Entanglement'.
The project description must outline the concept of your project: The expected number of works, the format and material of the works, if AV equipment is needed and if the project has been exhibited before (see terms and conditions).
The project submitted must never have been exhibited in Denmark before.
You must present a minimum of 10 images that support the concept.
Image size: Minimum 1500px on the long side, sRGB.
Copenhagen Photo Festival commits to providing equal opportunities, and we encourage people of all ethnic backgrounds, races, religions, ages, genders, disabilities, sexual orientations, or social statuses to apply.
Applicants must be open to dialogue with CPF about the presentation of their work.
We encourage exhibitors to consider themselves ambassadors of the festival and expect them to take part in activities both before and during the festival, both online and in person.
We also expect exhibitors to participate in activities such as videos or podcasts relating to their exhibition or to offer an artist talk during the festival.